Redskins safety DeAngelo Hall earns impressive grade from PFF

The Redskins surprised everyone when they beat the Seahawks 17-14 at CenturyLink Field. Many said Seattle’s mistakes contributed as much to its loss with as Washington’s play, but that isn’t true.

While the Seahawk’s 138 yards in penalties, missed field goals and failed two-point conversions helped, it was Washington’s outstanding defense, the good play of backup players, a couple of amazing throws and catches and veteran safety DeAngelo Hall’s ball-hawking skills in the last seconds of the game that had more to do with the victory.

It is fitting Hall was the player that defended Seattle QB Russell Wilson’s Hail Mary pass so that the Redskins could win the game. It was this and other things he did throughout the game that garnered his impressive 85.2 grade from Pro Football Focus for his first venture on the gridiron after starting the year on the PUP list.

Of Hall, the PFF Analysis Team wrote:

“DeAngelo Hall made an immediate impact upon return to the gridiron this week by having the highest graded performance of the Redskins defense. Hall played mostly deep safety so he was not targeted often (only three times), but he came up with two pass defenses, one of which sealed the game on the final Hail Mary attempt by Russell Wilson.”

Defensive lineman Stacy McGee, an unlikely hero, earned the second-highest grade for the game at 84.3, which is well-deserved. Making himself known to Wilson early in the game, the 2013 sixth-round draft pick was instrumental in collapsing the pocket and putting pressure on him.

PFF recognized this and wrote:

“Although McGee only played 31 snaps on defense for the Redskins, he made a solid impact as a pass-rusher with an 82.0 pass-rush grade. He only had one hurry on the afternoon, but he consistently beat his inside counterparts quickly and forced Wilson to bail out of the pocket before he got too close. McGee was also a factor in run defense coming up with two stops on 14 snaps in run defense.”

Many of us have been saying since training camp that second-year wideout Josh Doctson is a special talent. The catch he made at the end of the game to set up RB Rob Kelley’s one-yard TD run was a prime example of how much he has learned and the skill he brings to the Redskins.

PFF awarded Doctson the third-highest grade (78.0), and it wasn’t high enough. But those analysts haven’t seen what others here in town have.

The website explained its thinking:

“Doctson was only targeted four times throughout the game and his 59 receiving yards aren’t eye-popping but his full extension 38-yard reception on Washington’s final drive that put them in position to win. Doctson struggled to get open while Richard Sherman was opposite him, catching only one pass on two targets for 11 yards. Doctson has yet to blossom for the Redskins as he has only 11 catches on 20 targets through seven weeks.”

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PFF described Washington as “refocused” in its recap. Yet, like many other national outlets suggested, it was the absence of Seattle’s safety, Earl Thomas, that had much to do with Cousins’ ability to connect with his various pass-catchers.

But those who have been watching more closely know otherwise, and it will be interesting to see how the team fares against the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. This win against the NFC West Seahawks means that Washington could be setting itself up for an NFC Wild Card spot if it keeps winning unwinnable games.